What's Stopping Al Qaeda

The secret of why Al Qaeda called off a plot to gas the New York City subways.

The FBI agent appearing as a guest on the radio show Savage Nation was claiming that Al Qaeda boasts 15,000 operatives in sleeper cells throughout the United States. And, he added, they have in their arsenal dirty bombs and atomic suitcase bombs.

The calls came in fast and furious:

I don't believe this. If Al Qaeda has infiltrated America, then why aren't they blowing up movie theaters and shopping malls every week? If they have the weapons, why don't they use them?

The FBI agent's humble reply?

"I don't know."

There can be no question that Al Qaeda has sleeper agents in the U.S. Consider: Ninety percent of the suicide bombers in Iraq are imported from around the world (including a Belgium-born Catholic woman who converted to Islam and was sent to Iraq to blow herself up). Of those murdered in Iraq, 98 percent are fellow Muslims. The eight suicide bombers in England were British born Muslims. The Wahabis are known to be recruiting in the United States. There are 12 million illegal immigrants the United States. Recently, 800 men -- from the Middle East, Arab countries and Afghanistan -- were caught illegally entering the U.S. from Mexico.

Yet since 9/11, Al Qaeda has perpetrated no terrorist activity in the United States. Why not?

Terrorism's Holy Grail

Last month, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Suskind, in a book The One Percent Doctrine, reported that Al-Qaeda terrorists came within 45 days of attacking the New York subway system with lethal gas. They were stopped -- not by any intelligence breakthrough, but by an order from Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman Zawahiri.

According to Time Magazine:

[The plot] contained plans for a gas-dispersal system dubbed "the mubtakkar" (Arabic for inventive). Fearing that al-Qaeda's engineers had achieved the holy grail of terror R&D -- a device to effectively distribute hydrogen-cyanide gas, which is deadly when inhaled -- the CIA immediately set about building a prototype based on the captured design, which comprised two separate chambers for sodium cyanide and a stable source of hydrogen, such as hydrochloric acid. A seal between the two could be broken by a remote trigger, producing the gas for dispersal.

The prototype confirmed their worst fears: "In the world of terrorist weaponry," writes Suskind, "this was the equivalent of splitting the atom. Obtain a few widely available chemicals, and you could construct it with a trip to Home Depot -- and then kill everyone in the store."

The device was shown to President Bush and Vice President Cheney... prompting the President to order that alerts be sent through all levels of the U.S. government. Easily constructed and concealed, the device ensured that mass casualties would be inevitable if it could be triggered in any enclosed public space.

Suskind writes about plans to attack the subways:

The cell members had traveled to New York City through North Africa in the fall of 2002 and had thoroughly cased the locations for the attacks. The device would be the mubtakkar. There would be several placed in subway cars and other strategic locations and activated remotely. This was well past conception and early planning. The group was operational. They were 45 days from zero hour.

Then Ali (an Al Qaeda informant) told his handlers something that left intelligence officials speechless and vexed. Al-Zawahiri had called off the attacks. Ali did not know the precise explanation why. He just knew al-Zawahiri had called them off...

Over the next days, teams of CIA briefers, analysts and operatives were in the Oval Office. The President and the Vice President sat in the two wing chairs, each with his back to the fireplace... The Vice President was intense. "The question is why would Zawahiri have called them off? What does it indicate about al-Qaeda's strategy?"...

Did al-Zawahiri call off the attack because the United States was putting too much pressure on the al-Qaeda organization? "Or is it because he didn't feel this was sufficient for a 'second wave'?" Cheney asked. "Is that why he called it off? Because it wasn't enough?"

The destruction tape -- still running, unexpressed, in everyone's head -- turned toward calculation. Ten subway cars at rush hour -- two hundred people in a car -- another thousand trampled in the underground in rush-hour panic as the gas spreads through the station. As many dead as 9/11, with a WMD attack spreading a devastating, airborne fear?

Not enough of a second wave?

"I mean, this is bad enough. What does calling this off say about what else they're planning?" Bush blurted out. His eyes were wide, fist clenched. "What could be the bigger operation Zawahiri didn't want to mess up?"

Weaving Carpets

The CIA knew there were terrorists on American soil, plotting to commit an attack worse than 9-11.

Why would the terrorists call off their plan, just 45 days from zero hour?

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph (April 16, 2006), Amir Taheri, former Executive Editor of Kayhan, Iran's largest daily newspaper, explained that the current U.S. administration is the "problem." How so?

According to Hassan Abassi, the Iranian strategist known as the "Islamic Kissinger," it was a matter of being patient. Al-Qaeda called off the NYC subway attack because they don't want America to take off the gloves and really fight terror. The radicals are waiting to launch their next big strike at such time that America is more complacent and less confrontational.

Radical Islam has bigger plans in store that they don't want to mess up, and the timing was not right to face a harsh American response.

The radicals are confident, however, that the right time will come. Says Abassi: "The Americans are impatient. At the first sight of a setback, they run away. We, however, know how to be patient. We have been weaving carpets for thousands of years."

Voice of Appeasement

Around the world, Al-Qaeda has the manpower and resources to carry out unspeakable acts of terror. And there is no need to even import the terrorists. The London bombers were indigenous -- homegrown. And last month, 17 Al-Qaeda operatives were arrested in southern Ontario; they had ordered and received three tons of ammonium nitrate to attack Canadian targets. All the suspects were either born in Canada or were long-time residents.

It is clear that Al-Qaeda is planning to attack America again.

And this is where we err. We do not grasp the enormity of our enemy's objective. For every time there is a new attack -- New York, Washington, Istanbul, Bali, London and Madrid -- we pass it off as a mere spontaneous grievance.

And when there is a lull, we imagine that the terrorists have climbed back into their hole. We can't conceive that they're patiently holding back, out of strategy.

What is Al-Qaeda's strategy? They know that they cannot fight America face-to-face. So they figure that America -- as the war in Iraq drags -- is slowly losing its will to fight.

Radical Islam has made an outright declaration of war on Western civilization. Radical Islam has the goal of Islamic world domination, where the "infidel" (i.e. all non-Muslims) are neutered and submissive.

Al-Qaeda figures that in a few years time, they'll be in a better position to extract concessions from the West -- appeasement, if you will.

Soon, Iran will have possession of nuclear weapons. Imagine they threaten to nuke American cities. Will we back down? Or will we fight?

If World War II taught us anything, it's that evil means business and there is no possibility of appeasing genocidal maniacs bent on world domination.

For let the irony not go unnoticed: The hydrogen cyanide that the subway terrorists planned to use, is the same formula for Zyklon B that the Nazis used in the gas chambers.

The first step in stopping the terror is to wake up to the reality: World War III has begun. They're determinedly planning the final conflagration. And they're coming to kill us.

About the Author

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 35

(35)
luke,
May 25, 2011 10:02 PM

Panic? No call to action? Really!!???

I understand where everyone comming from in terms of evoking panic, and not giving a call to action, but you should take note that not every artical can that sheds light on an issue should have or can can a call to action if for nothing else, then the sake of time. I mean, if your reading aish.com isnt the need to for a call to action obvious when the subject is radical islam. Further, The call to action would be a pretty large area to cover in terms of this threat. AS far as creating panic by saying there coming to kill us...Well, The author is right, that is there goal. Sometimes people need to be reminded of there intentions, especially at a time when the defense budget is being reduced. In my opinion, the authors point in being blunt was a call to action, in terms of not becoming complacent in our thinking or actions even if theres been no massive attacks since 9/11.

(34)
Anonymous,
October 15, 2006 12:21 AM

Who is Marshall Roth

I'm trying to figure out who Mr. Roth is and what makes him an expert on this topic. ( a google search did not make that clear since the top entry was this very article!)

I heard on the news that it was US intelligence that foiled this plan, so who's telling the true picture?

Also, while I really appreciate a variety of perspectives, including this one, all my training has taught me that you need to leave your reader with something concrete to do: "What's next?" Leaving people in fear, "And they're coming to kill us," does not serve a purpose. Here's a bit more drama (not sure anyone but the Aish editor will even see this but here it is anyway). I read a Holocaust story once about a man who worked at the gas chambers. He recognized a woman from his town and made the mistake of telling her the truth of what was about to happen to her. The story told of her breakdown, she clawed at herself and no one else believed her. They all met the same end in any case. Did it serve her to know? In the article above, if there is no "call to action" then it does not really serve the reader beyond creating fear.

I do believe people should know what's going on so they can make a difference in changing themselves and the world for the good.

Thanks for being thought provoking in any case. The article is haunting. The question (in addition to a request for more info on the author) is: Does this article serve Aish's mission?

(33)
Zionna- Jerusalem,
August 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Whilst I appreciate your understanding of Al Qaeda as a terrorist organization with a clear political agenda, I feel that your concluding words will acheive little but evoke mass hysteria. Yes, the threat of this new form of terrorism is a massive threat to the exisisting- albeit disrupted- status quo of international security. However, there are key strategic differences between this 'war' and WWI and WWII. Your emotive words that they are 'coming to kill us' evokes panic. Yes- there are radicals who have a clear agenda here. Although 9/11 illustrated a great failure of global intelligence capabilities, the 'final conflagration' is not imminent.

(32)
JACOB DOLINGER,
August 6, 2006 12:00 AM

law professor - private international law and comparative law

The perspective of an attack by Al Qaeda in Israel is the most important matter to be permanently checked and reviewd.

(31)
amador,
August 4, 2006 12:00 AM

excelente

very nice

(30)
Albert Kee,
August 3, 2006 12:00 AM

I read with great interest all the news, but i feel that our politicians are actually to be blamed, at least partly, to all disasters happened it the world today. Consider to tackle the roots of the problems rather than just symptoms. Blasts here, bombs there are just symptoms. The secret agents should not arms the terrorist groups or potential terrorists with the weapons and knowledges related to it.

(29)
Jean,
August 3, 2006 12:00 AM

Thank you GOD, from an American

Thank you GOD for stopping another terrorist attack in America. Only YOU do I trust. Only YOU are THE ALMIGHTY.

(28)
Anonymous,
August 2, 2006 12:00 AM

TORN

reading this article is quite scary !!!!...but in the world we find ourselves in.......i feel torn inside....on the one hand i say prayers w/ my children each night....hoping that people can simply love one another in this world .....so that we may "all" live in peace and harmony........love what a simple concept that could and should save the world...on the other hand......these radicals and there perverted veiws that they justify in the name of their g-d.....how should one ...or better yet how is one able to deal which such people......????.....i remember driving up tp new york city...soon after 9/11.....seeing ground zero...a burial ground...feeling torned....very very sad...on one hand ...unbeleivably angry on the other....thinking about the terrorist....the only thought that crossed my mind was...." kill em all "....torn then...and still today...may hashem, our father in heaven, truly look out and take care of us.....peace...eg

(27)
KMM,
August 1, 2006 12:00 AM

THIS IS THE SCAREST THING I HAVE EVER READ!!! WHAT DO WE DO???

(26)
Beryl Traub,
August 1, 2006 12:00 AM

I read the article with great interest. Why do we accept these people in our countries, what is their reason for initially coming to our countries where we observe the countries rules and regulations. We try to love our neighbours but this makes one very wary......

(25)
Jose,
July 31, 2006 12:00 AM

We are our worst enemy.

Politicians in their frenzy to get votes,have degraded the honor of politics and have ignored the duties of protecting the Nation.

(24)
Roma Wiseman,
July 31, 2006 12:00 AM

Agree with your sentiments.

A good article. Itis a pity that some people prefer to be ostriches, and bury their heads in the sand. We should remember that all terrorist Islamic organisations want us dead, or converts to Islam. I would prefer death, so we have to stand and fight them.

(23)
Anonymous,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

excellent article

i belive that the terrorists are - waiting until our next election and praying for the Democrats to take over congress and weaken our ability to deal firmly with them

(22)
Susan Rubinstein,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

We will not fail...We will rid this world of these devils in their own dirt

We will not stop until they are all DESTROYED. And I pray ISrael destroys all of them over there. Hamas, Hezbollah, Hitler- as my mom pointed out all with the "H" letter. We will DESTROY all of them until they exist no more, just as we DESTROYED all the original Nazi's, or at least DESTROYED their dream of World Domination. We cannot settle for anything less! And G-d will be on our side, certainly not theirs who seek to control and destroy all in their way! Amen and may Hashem see that this happens soon...real soon.

(21)
Karen Semple,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

Articulate, perceptive and informative article.

Thank you for elucidating the facts at a time when many Jews do not wish to be confused with the facts. Again, thank you!

(20)
Alvin I. Solomon,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

I don't like Bush but he is doing a good anti-terrorist job

See above.

(19)
ilana,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

Be Alert and ALARMED!

Yes, those that don't fear death and are suicidal are worthy only of fear but not respect. G-d help us all to weather the next few years.I believe that there will be a terrorist nuclear incident in the near future in a western country.

(18)
L,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

Good theoretical piece

This article is a well written summary of what could happen. Prevention of a terrorist victory will result from more than prayer. The current US administration has done a great deal to combat terorism. Bush's decisions though not completly effective, are soley based on his ethics and convictions, not politics. Taking out Iraq was right, he didn't frame the purpose of the invasion well, nor did he have the right clean up plan in place. Winning WW IV (WW III was the Cold War) will take a coalition of the free nations of the world and the backing of the Islamic/Muslim/Arabic people. Losing a battle to Democracy does not deter terrorists. They are patient, they are smart, and they are not afraid to die. When the people of the Islamic/Muslim/Arabic world come to realize the evil of their terrorists heroes, the will kill them. (That is what happened to Al Zarquari, he was blown in by his own people when they realized how wrong he was).By the way, al Zawahiri, should have been dead a long time ago when Mubarak had him in prison for killing Sadat.

(17)
Anonymous,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

Not what I come to aish.com for

I don't come to aish.com for Bush/Cheney propoganda. You are entitled to your opinion, but I come here for inspiration, not someone's drastic opinion. My opinion is that the behavior of this government has made us much less safe. it has done nothing to ease the situation for Israel and in fact has made it worse. The world hates America now, and blames Israel. As for gas attacks on the New York subway, we've been hearing about alerts aimed toward scaring us for years. They are hardly afraid of us. They are bringing us down bit by bit as we waste our time invading and fighting in a country that had nothing to do with this, but is now a whole new training ground for another generation of terrorists.

I'll continue reading aish.com, but I implore you to publish articles from both sides, rather than one extremist (in my valid opinion) point of view aimed at scaring people. It doesn't accomplish anything positive.

(16)
Manasseh,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

Fear, Fight or Flee

News in conjunction with this article have been floating for quite a while now, and the worst we can do as a people is to allow the spirit of panic to roost, panic does more harm and havoc than any enemy is able to accomplish because an enemy fights from without but panic and fear destroys from within...(A lesson I learned as a maasai worrior infront of the lion)...Hashems word says; "Unless G-D guard a city; they labour in vain that watch over it"So, do the best you can humanly do and then: "Let G-D arise and let his enemies be scattered"The enemies and their thoughts and plans are like birds; cant stop them from flying overhead, But YOU CAN STOP THEM FROM BUILDING A NEST ON YOUR HEAD

(15)
Laurie,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

Sobering but not surprising...

The truth hurts, but we won't get it from our "news" media. It seems that Israel and America have in common that we always seem to be the scapegoats even while we are the victims. But we can be thankful that God--not the news media--is in control and always will be.

(14)
tina abrahamian,
July 30, 2006 12:00 AM

a somber reality

We must send this article to everyone and it must be public knowledge. People do not want to confront the truth because it is scary. We are not dealing with civilized people. They are radical people with a tribal mentality. I pray that Israel will destory this element and that public and world pressure would not sway the Jewish state. G-d bless Israel and her soldiers.

(13)
James,
July 28, 2006 12:00 AM

Land for Peace in reverse

If the Arab nations want peace including Lebanon then they should give up their land to Israel. Lebanon should cede all land south of the Letani River to Israel to create a buffer zone. Lebanon failed to remove the terrorists and invited the terrorists to become a political party. I think giving Israel a 20 mile buffer zone would be a start. Fascist Radical Islam has been around a long time fighting western culture and democracy but America has only been awake to global terror (WW III)since 9-11-2001. Israel has fought terror longer and could teach Americans much. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem and may Israel's borders enlarge and not shrink.

(12)
Roxanne,
July 28, 2006 12:00 AM

Friends with Bin Laden

It is no secret that the Bush family has been friends with Osama bin Laden's family for years and that bin Laden's family was ushered out of the U.S. either just prior to the 9/11 attacks or during the attacks. Once it was established that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction we, America, should have pulled out immediately and aggressively gone after bin Laden. The fact that bin Laden has not been caught yet is a joke; a joke with America as the butt

(11)
Anonymous,
July 28, 2006 12:00 AM

Fear

As a resident of Seattle,WA vicinity, where would I and anyone else be safe?This article is so frightening. I attended college here and met many muslims. They truly are committed to their religion. They can shake your hand and kill you at the same time and feel justified to their God. I admit, I am frightened.

(10)
Kennedy Ogba,
July 28, 2006 12:00 AM

God will give grace to expose and kill their evil plan

Isreal must remain the conscience of the world and the link to Godly standards. Victory against all the forces of evil is guarranteed.

(9)
Carole,
July 28, 2006 12:00 AM

Aish.com mail

You might find this worth a read...

(8)
Gerhard Rheinbach,
July 28, 2006 12:00 AM

...jolly things to come...

Hallo Marshall Roth,Thank you for posting your article. Unfortunately our regular media preferes to serve the islamic butchers and there is seldom any realistic voice to be heard on TV, ... Now, if 9.11 was feasible for the Jihadists, then one needn't has to hold a degree from Oxford Universtiy to realize that WW III has actally begun already and we ARE!!! in the final battle between the western and the dying eastern cultures. The people of the so called "islam" perhaps know that their time on this planet is over; in the same way as for any other religious extremists. And as they are to vanish sooner or later, they of course want to deliver some jolly showdown. What I dislike reading articles as yours is the lack of constructive suggestions about what is to be done now and by whom. So what I do by myself, is explain to the more inteligent persons, about the solidly existing "islamistic" threat. I was trained in basic "Islam" by some of those fools (because I wanted to understand whats this "islamic" raving is all about ), so I can say now, I know what I talk about. And I also know that the avarege person in Europe has no clue at all, what is really going on. I am afraid that in the long run we will have to take rigorous steps against our "islamic" population, as most of them ARE!!! symphatysing with their "heroes". How else can Hisbollah hide amidst "civilians" in Libanaon?May the Lo_d grant all of you right insight and wisdom.From Munich/Germany, Gerhard Rheinbach

(7)
julia,
July 27, 2006 12:00 AM

what do jews outside of israel do

i am not in a position to go to israel right now, but feel that i am going to need to within the next 10, maybe 5 years. i agree that the war has begun, i see the palestinians making it look like israel is killing UN agents and i know that is how they want to turn the world against us. i wonder if i should make preparations, but i feel kinda paranoid doing so. how do other people plan to handle this?

(6)
Cyndi Wilkinson-Ohio USA,
July 27, 2006 12:00 AM

I'm glad someone is telling the truth!

I am glad someone is telling the truth about all the terror that is out there, I live in the USA and yes We hear the news but it doesn't address the type of information that I read in this article...I WANT to know... what is going on so I can protect my family. If we need to move to another area or country then so be it but I need to know so we can make a collective and intelligent decision.and when we hear the after effects of what might have happened Yes it does scare me.. however I am thankful to the Israeli intelligence and the American intelligence depts for protecting my family and I from harm...I am glad this article is in aish.com and wish to see more types of this subject. If we are not informed how can we cope with what is to come? If one chooses to do nothing then that is their choice... if Nothing can be done at that time then at least give me time to pray and make my peace with my G-d before i have to be face to face with HIM.thank yousha'halu' YirishiliamCyndi Wilkinson-OHIO , USA

(5)
Jonathan,
July 27, 2006 12:00 AM

wow. not great for sleeping. Nothing was mentioned about the fact that God constantly saves us from myriads of disasters. In a second,things could happen. TRust in the Almighty. he knows what to do

(4)
Anonymous,
July 27, 2006 12:00 AM

Two things:

I would like to say two things in response to this article:1) SO why aren;t we thanking Hashem? If we only turn to Hashem when there's trouble-that's the only time when we daven, but when there are no atttacks we say nothing-then we're basically tellling Hashem we will only talk to him if he scares us and kills people! and then we wonder how the world came to be what it is. Remember Hashem. Now, before anything happens, G-d forbid.2)The second thing is that Rabbi Shlomo Brevda spoke very recently about the situation, and he said that the ramban says, that nothing that ahppens in this world, to the Jews or to the land of Israel, works with the laws that we operate on, the laws of nature. Rather, it is all Hashgacha Protis, Divine Providence.So it doesn;t matter if al Qaida has all these things-that doesn;t make an attack-G-d does.Let's use this article to awaken ourselves that G-d is reing us he can make an attack whenever He needs to, and let's dven to Him now, so that he shouldn;t have to.Thank you for this article

(3)
James Butler,
July 27, 2006 12:00 AM

Very informative

It is sad that the American government will not be as forthright with its citizens as you have with this article. What better way to activate the citizenry to watch for suspicious activity. May G-d bless and keep Israel and the united states far from harm, may they remain united to the end.

(2)
Anonymous,
July 27, 2006 12:00 AM

So now what?

Okay, that article is rather dubious - to say the least! I've read other comments, and other than daven to Hashem, there aren't really any suggestions about what to do. Does the author or anyone else have any concrete suggestions on how to stop our enemies?

(1)
Anonymous,
July 26, 2006 12:00 AM

point?

While I have no doubts that the author is a talented writer, what was the point of this article other than to invoke fear? I go to aish.com when I would like to be inspired, not when I want a panic attack.

My nephew is having his bar mitzvah and I am thinking of a gift. In the old days, the gift of choice was a fountain pen, then a Walkman, and today an iPod. But I want to get him something special. What do you suggest?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Since this event celebrates the young person becoming obligated in the commandments, the most appropriate gift is, naturally, one that gives a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage and enables one to better perform the mitzvot! (An iPod, s/he can get anytime.)

With that in mind, my favorite gift idea is a tzedakah (charity) box. Every Jew should have a tzedakah box in his home, so he can drop in change on a regular basis. The money can then be given to support a Jewish school or institution -- in your home town or in Israel (every Jews’ “home town”). There are beautiful tzedakah boxes made of wood and silver, and you can see a selection here.

For boys, a really beautiful gift is a pair of tefillin, the black leather boxes which contain parchments of Torah verses, worn on the bicep and the head. Owning a pair of Tefillin (and wearing them!) is an important part of Jewish identity. But since they are expensive (about $400), not every Bar Mitzvah boy has a pair. To make sure you get kosher Tefillin, see here.

In 1944, the Nazis perpetrated the Children's Action in the Kovno Ghetto. That day and the next, German soldiers conducted house-to-house searches to round up all children under age 12 (and adults over 55) -- and sent them to their deaths at Fort IX. Eventually, the Germans blew up every house with grenades and dynamite, on suspicion that Jews might be in hiding in underground bunkers. They then poured gasoline over much of the former ghetto and incinerated it. Of the 37,000 Jews in Kovno before the Holocaust, less than 10 percent survived. One of the survivors was Rabbi Ephraim Oshri, who later published a stirring collection of rabbinical responsa, detailing his life-and-death decisions during the Holocaust. Also on this date, in 1937, American Jews held a massive anti-Nazi rally in New York City's Madison Square Garden.

Love comes from "giving to someone." When you do altruistic acts of kindness, you are giving the other person part of yourself. You will therefore feel love for the recipient of your acts of kindness - because you will find yourself included in the other person and you will identify with him. Just as you love yourself, so too will you love the other person.

The ultimate level to strive for is that even if someone wrongs you, you will view it the same as if someone's right hand accidentally cut their own left hand. Of course while you will try to prevent this from happening, you will not take revenge on your own hand!!

The degree of love as you have for yourself is the degree of love we should have for others.

Today, think of a specific person who would gain greatly from your being more giving. (If you can't think of anyone, that person might be you...)

Although actions generally have much greater impact than thoughts, thoughts may have a more serious effect in several areas.

The distance that our hands can reach is quite limited. The ears can hear from a much greater distance, and the reach of the eye is much farther yet. Thought, however, is virtually limitless in its reach. We can think of objects millions of light years away, and so we have a much greater selection of improper thoughts than of improper actions.

Thought also lacks the restraints that can deter actions. One may refrain from an improper act for fear of punishment or because of social disapproval, but the privacy of thought places it beyond these restraints.

Furthermore, thoughts create attitudes and mindsets. An improper action creates a certain amount of damage, but an improper mindset can create a multitude of improper actions. Finally, an improper mindset can numb our conscience and render us less sensitive to the effects of our actions. We therefore do not feel the guilt that would otherwise come from doing an improper act.

We may not be able to avoid the occurrence of improper impulses, but we should promptly reject them and not permit them to dwell in our mind.

Today I shall...

make special effort to avoid harboring improper thoughts.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...